text:
888 and Playtech announce Collaboration Deal
Two behemoths of the web gambling industry are set to join forces in a move which will see among the leading software providers in the industry link up with a major operator to increase its offering of online casino services and products.
Undeniably, 888 Group is among the biggest operators in the online gambling industry with multiple brands under their purview and this latest partnership with Playtech is a significant step forward for them.
While the company’s brands do curently have a number of different Playtech services and products, this move will assist you to secure the provision of the application provider’s innovative live casino offering, as well as their latest random number generator (RNG) games.
Throughout the last couple of months, Playtech is promoting numerous exciting new products within their bid to simply help differentiate themselves from a considerable amount of competitors available.
Significant investment has been made in order to produce, design, and develop new offerings and this latest development will be viewed as a substantial advance, particularly for 888 who've ensured that they stay at the forefront of on line casino.
While 888 has be sure their brands try to stay competitive, this lates deal provides their customers with a lot more quality in a certain niche. Certainly one of their prime assets is in fact their particular pc software provider; Dragonfish which acts whilst the B2B (Business to Business) division of 888 Holdings.
Even though Dragonfish creates computer software for his or her brands, they also provide it to other operators, as well as using other software providers in the market to ensure that their players have ultimate variety.
How can 888 benefit from this?
Being arguably one of the greatest operators in the wonderful world of on line gambling, their flagship 888 Casino brand rivals the major players. Already with an extremely distinctive and popular site, they have ensured that the slots and games that they supply to their players would be the consequence of careful general market trends.
Which means that by integrating Playtech’s new RNG games as well as their upgrade of live casino, they could be sure their players don't have to look elsewhere for more differentiation. Additionally , it may only work in their favour, with many Playtech fans all around the globe and for that reason, this gift ideas several new marketing opportunities in order to attract new players with their brands.
New partnerships has always been a model that 888 has built their company which was recently advocated by SVP (Senior Vice President) and head of B2C (Business to Customer), Guy Cohen, who believes that Playtech’s live casino and RNG content will dramatically strengthen their product offering.
Meanwhile, CEO of live casino at Playtech, Edo Haitin recognised the amount of of an emphasis that 888 put on providing an entertainment-focused experience to the brand new variety of player on the web gambling clients. The actual fact that Playtech get to provide this to a market leader like 888 is something that Haitin identifies as a substantial coup for the program provider.
It'll see a few of the newly available titles link up with a few of the industry’s most robust progressive jackpots and a range of products from an especially powerful arrangement of studios.
Others to follow suit?
During the last few months, we've seen several strategic deals implemented between pc software providers and operators, so that it appears that 888 were keen to not be left behind. While NetEnt have merged with Evolution Gaming following link-ups with some boutique operators as well as Entain flexing its muscles, it should not be considered a surprise if there is more to come such as this soon.
The marketplace to monitor, is undoubtedly the burgeoning US market which has seen a considerable amount of activity in recent weeks, following new online gambling legislation being passed in many states.
Written for tobjl.info by Adiela de Bruyn on 23-02-2021


text:
The Transformer Book Chi starts at $399 for a 10-inch screen, and $699 for the 12-inch model
And it's just the beginning. Devolver Digital 'will be bringing curated film content to the Steam marketplace' from now on. But do you even want to buy films through Steam?
It was fun while it lasted, but Super Mario 64 HD is done...at least in the browser.
The Chinese gadget maker is gunning for the connected fitness market with dirt-cheap smart scale.
IT can be a stressful job even for seasoned professionals. But with the right tools and a healthy outlook, you'll get along just fine.
Can't connect to a particular website? Here's how to troubleshoot it.
AT&T and Google Fiber are slowly picking up the pace to bring gigabit Internet to more communities in the U.S.
As expected, Microsoft has launched a slightly smaller, significantly cheaper Surface 3 that ditches Windows RT.
Help your valuable employees contribute more to the company with these three tips.
The company is expected to launch its new flagship smartphone, the G4.
Raptr's new Plays.TV social network was built for gamers who want to share video clips of their most glorious gaming moments with like-minded souls.
Debuting in Windows 10 Build 10049, Spartan's in its early stages, but we can see hints of what's to come in the interface, as well as the engine.
Automate file sorting, dictate voice memos, and more with these apps and add-ons.
AMD says its Asynchronous Shaders and Asynchronous Compute Engines should offer a significant increase in performance with DirectX 12.

domain: news


text:
New Delhi: India has asked Indonesia to remove non-tariff barriers on imports of pharmaceutical products to help boost two-way commerce.
In a meeting with Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu on Thursday, 17 January, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said Indonesia would benefit from India’s cost-effective drugs and other pharmaceutical products.
“Indian pharmaceutical products are exported to many countries, including highly regulated markets of the US, Europe, Japan and Australia,” an official release quoted Nath as saying.
The issue of removing non-tariff barriers on carbon black, wheat flour, uncoated writing, printing paper and milk products was also discussed during the meeting.
Trade between India and Indonesia in 2006-07 stood at $6.20 billion, a jump of 41.22% over the previous year. India imported goods worth $4.17 billion and exported items valued at $2.03 billion.
A joint study on an economic cooperation agreement between the two countries is to be completed by June this year.
The second meeting of a Joint Study Group (JSG) formed for the purpose is proposed to be held in New Delhi in February.
Nath said there was a lot of scope for widening the trade basket, particularly in the services sector.
He said Indian banks were interested in buying stakes in financial institutions in Indonesia, and also invited investments from Indonesia in the country’s banking sector.
State Bank of India and Bank of India have already started operations there.


text:
The Toblerone triangle is the most iconic packaging after Coca-Cola’s contour bottle, according to a new survey of 1,500 Brits. The research, which explored the influence of packaging and branding on everyday shoppers, found that one in six thought that the Coca-Cola bottle was the most identifiable in terms of packaging and was just as recognisable without its logo or the product itself. The Marmite jar came in third place, according to the study, which was commissioned by Packaging Innovations and Luxury Packaging London organiser Easyfairs.
Most recognisable food packaging
1. Coca-Cola bottle
2. Toblerone triangle
3. Marmite jar
4. Pringles tube
5. KFC bucket
6. Heinz ketchup bottle
7. Walkers crisp packet
Over the last few years, Coca-Cola has significantly altered its marketing approach to encompass a younger audience, and it seems to have paid off with one in five millennials selecting the bottle as the most recognisable pack product. The Pringles tin – fourth among all respondents – came in second for millennials.
Alex Center, design director for The Coca-Cola Company, said: “Packaging has always been at the core of the Coca-Cola brand. Our bottle is our most visible and most valuable asset. While ads on TV, online or billboards will always be important, nothing beats the feeling of a cold Coca-Cola bottle in your hand. That is the ultimate experience design.”
The study also revealed that consumers see barcodes as the greatest packaging invention, popular among one-quarter of Brits, while the cardboard box came in a close second with 21% of the vote. Re-sealable zip closures secured 20%, while vacuum packaging was the innovation of choice for 16% of subjects. 3D printed packaging found its way into the top two for 18-34-year-olds.
Gerry Sherwood, event director for Easyfairs’ packaging portfolio, said: “Millennials have officially passed baby boomers as the largest generation in history, and are more personally connected to their favourite brands than ever before. It is therefore not surprising to see 3D printing come out top in our poll for this age group. We are in an era where almost anything is possible, from personalised packaging to augmented reality, so we have no excuses when it comes to targeting the appropriate audience. Consumers are demanding more from the brands they purchase, they want to feel special and be able to interact with the products ‘right now’, so it is the brands’ responsibility to make sure they can.”


text:
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update arrived a little more than two weeks ago, and it has been a major headache for a lot of users. Though the update brought a bunch of features, it also unexpectedly broke millions of webcams, and now consumers are left waiting for a fix. That fix is in the pipeline and, if we’re lucky, it’ll be released next month. Until then, consumers are forced to contend with less-than-functional webcams, bringing their Skype sessions to a screeching halt.
It seems the problem revolves around how Windows 10 handles USB webcams following the Anniversary Update: they can’t use H.264 or MJPEG encoded streams thanks to the update, leaving them with only YUY2 encoding. Microsoft made the move to avoid decreases in performance, but the unfortunate fallout has been a massive loss of functionality across the webcam world.
While that’s not such a huge deal for consumers using the webcams on a personal basis — they’ll just have to use their phones until a fix is released — it is a major problem for companies that rely on webcams for video calls, as well as anyone who records themselves for YouTube video, podcasts, and similar.
Microsoft is working to release a fix for the problem, and if all goes as planned, we’ll be getting access to it next week. In the meantime, engineer Rafael Rivera has posted the following workout solution on Twitter:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform, add DWORD "EnableFrameServerMode" and set to 0. #webcamgate
— Rafael Rivera (@WithinRafael) August 19, 2016


text:
This article is an on-site version of our Disrupted Times newsletter. Sign up here to get the newsletter sent straight to your inbox three times a week
Today’s top stories
Nato said there was ‘no indication’ that a missile which struck Poland was a ‘deliberate attack’ and suggested it was fired by Ukraine air defence against Russian attacks.
The Donald is back. Former US president Donald Trump confirmed he would run for office again, making the announcement at a glitzy event at Mar-a-Lago. Many of Trump’s previous supporters were conspicuous by their absence, and Edward Luce argues that Trump is the gift to Democrats that keeps on giving.
Shares in Target and its rivals tumbled after the US retail chain predicted economic uncertainty would hit fourth-quarter sales. Walmart, in stark contrast, lifted its forecasts, even after being hit by a $3.1bn legal settlement over its role in the opioids crisis. Overall US retail sales data for October were better than expected, with several businesses launching their holiday sales early and Amazon holding a second Prime Day shopping event.
For up-to-the-minute news updates, visit our live blog
With just one day to go before his pivotal statement on the UK’s public finances, chancellor Jeremy Hunt received another reminder of the scale of the challenges ahead as official data showed inflation hitting a 41-year high.
The higher-than-expected acceleration to 11.1 per cent in October, up from 10.1 per cent the previous month, was driven by rises in energy prices and a 16.5 per cent increase in food prices, the highest for 45 years. A separate survey last week showed the average British household’s yearly shopping bill had risen by £682 from last year.
On the plus side, core inflation, stripping out these volatile items, held steady at 6.5 per cent.
ING economist James Smith commented: “The fact that the government is effectively fixing electricity [and] gas unit prices below wholesale costs until next April means this is probably as high as it will get, though admittedly we expect headline rates to stay in double-digits until at least February next year.”
The jump in inflation will fuel calls from British workers for wage rises to match. Data yesterday showed growth in pay falling further behind the cost of living, with public sector workers the worst hit. However, prime minister Rishi Sunak criticised demands from nurses for a double-digit pay rise, and asked company bosses to “embrace restraint” over their own rewards.
The UK figures contrast with a softening of inflation in the US, which hit 7.7 per cent in October, the lowest level since January, leading investors to believe the Federal Reserve will slow down its programme of interest rate rises.
There are also signs that the US used car market, which has been one of the key drivers of inflation, is finally slowing, as an increased supply of new vehicles, plus rising interest rates, leads to an ebbing in demand.
Eurozone inflation hit a record 10.7 per cent in October, keeping pressure on the ECB to continue raising rates, while China remains an outlier, with consumer price inflation up just 2.1 per cent as Covid restrictions put a dampener on consumer activity.
What then of the role of the world’s central banks?
Bank of England chief Andrew Bailey, quizzed by a parliamentary committee today, said that, with hindsight, the BoE had contributed to the increase in inflation by printing money and buying assets during 2021. And across the Channel, soaring inflation was cited by the European Central Bank in its twice-yearly financial stability review as one of the key factors risking market turmoil.
Chief economics commentator Martin Wolf argues central banks have been correct in acting decisively. The worst possibility would not be for disinflation to be done too slowly but for policymakers to give up too quickly, he says.
“The risks of tightening are real. But those of letting inflation become entrenched are greater. As Macbeth says, if one has to do something hard, ‘’twere well / It were done quickly.’”
Need to know: UK and Europe economy
Investors warned against a new wave of austerity ahead of Hunt’s statement. The shine is also coming off post-Brexit trade deals. Here’s our explainer on why Hunt is planning big tax rises and spending cuts.
Russia and Ukraine are close to extending a deal allowing Kyiv to export grain from its Black Sea ports. A compromise was reached on payments to Russia for its own agricultural exports and the reopening of a pipeline that passes through Ukraine, carrying ammonia.
The International Energy Agency warned that surging diesel prices could worsen Europe’s energy crisis. An already tight market will probably be even tighter once an EU embargo on Russian products is implemented in February.
Germany has completed building its first floating import terminal for liquefied natural gas, easing fears of shortages from the cut in supplies from Russia.
Need to know: Global economy
A stronger than expected draft communiqué rejecting the “era of war” was agreed by world leaders at the G20 summit, reflecting global anxiety around Russian’s war in Ukraine.
G20 leaders also pledged to limit global warming to 1.5C, putting pressure on attendees at the COP27 summit not to backslide on the commitment. Wealthy nations led by the US and Japan have offered Indonesia $20bn to help the coal-dependent country shift to renewable energy. If you’re just catching up on all-things COP, here’s what you need to know.
The UN said the world’s population had now hit 8bn and was on course for 9bn in 15 years’ time. Key demographic changes include a surge in the number of older people, while fertility rates have fallen.
Ghana is experiencing a severe economic crisis, with one of the world’s worst performing currencies, inflation at 40 per cent and a crippling debt burden. The country is in talks with the IMF over a possible $3bn loan.
Need to know: business
Global dividends hit a record in the third quarter, fuelled by soaring payouts from oil and gas majors.
The €353bn luxury sector is holding up well and set for growth of 3 to 8 per cent next year, despite fears of a global recession, according to new research. Top companies such as LVMH, Gucci owner Kering and rival Hermès have all recently reported jumps in sales.
China’s support package for the property sector has had an immediate impact on sentiment in the construction industry, although analysts are unsure whether it is a turning point or just short-term relief.
The World of Work
The current round of tech lay-offs has punctured several myths around what was seen by some as a cosseted work environment, writes columnist Sarah O’Connor. The speed of the lay-offs by global companies is also crashing up against employment law in the UK and Europe.
New Twitter chief Elon Musk, already on a collision course with EU regulators, added to his recent announcements about working practices at the company by telling staff to commit to a “hardcore” culture or leave. US investment and industries editor Brooke Masters says the affair could wound the sector for years to come.
For some more positive news on how businesses can recruit and retain the best people, listen to the new Working It podcast.
Covid cases and vaccinations
Total global cases: 628.6mn
Total doses given: 12.9bn
Get the latest worldwide picture with our vaccine tracker
Some good news
Bamboo, cheap, strong and in plentiful supply, is increasingly being used as an ultra-sustainable building material.
Working it — Discover the big ideas shaping today’s workplaces with a weekly newsletter from work & careers editor Isabel Berwick. Sign up here
The Climate Graphic: Explained — Understanding the most important climate data of the week. Sign up here
Thanks for reading Disrupted Times. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you, please sign up here to receive future issues. And please share your feedback with us at [email protected]. Thank you


text:
Assm. Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, says plastic grocery bags are killing marine life and littering beaches.
Retailers have unsuccessfully fought bag bans in many cities and counties already, but Levine says a uniform ban is actually better for business.
"If you're operating a market in the northern part of the state and one in the southern part that both happen to be in jurisdictions that have different tweaks to these policies, or one that has a ban and one that doesn't, it makes it more difficult and so this will actually make it more uniform for everybody, both from the consumer standpoint, and even for our markets," he said.
Levine's proposal outlaws use of the bags in large grocery stores by 2015. They would then have to offer recycled paper bags and sell re-usable bags.


text:
Chinese electric carmaker Nio has announced a RMB 7 billion ($989 million) cash injection into its business in a big boost for the beleaguered group, reported the Financial Times.
Chief executive William Li said on Wednesday that financial pressure on the New York-listed company was in the past after announcing the investment in Nio China, a newly established entity. The investors are led by state-owned enterprises from the eastern Chinese province of Anhui.
The announcement comes shortly after Beijing extended subsidy support to the struggling electric vehicle sector. This will limit reductions in subsidies by 10% each year, starting this year.
Nio, one of the best-known Chinese electric vehicle start-ups, has been hit hard since the country’s car market suffered its first annual reverse in three decades in 2018. The company’s share price has fallen sharply since its September 2018 listing as it has struggled to stem cash outflow and raise new capital, causing a loss of confidence among some investors in the business.


text:
RECENT RACHEL BILSON CANDIDS!
Hey guys, I have managed to get a few minutes to do updates. Things should go back to normal starting next week because i’m finishing exams on Tuesday. Here’s some Rachel news from 10 Sept:
The 27-year-old former O.C. starlet was seen going to a few book stores before trying on some jewelry at the ‘Cake’ boutique in Los Angeles.


text:
Tourism group sues over use of 'Virginia is for Lovers'
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — For almost half a century, Virginia has used "Virginia is for Lovers" as a slogan to promote tourism in the state.
So when state tourism officials noticed an online retailer using "Virginia is for Gun Lovers," they weren't pleased.
The Virginia Tourism Corp. is now suing the Richmond-based retailer, Recovered Gold LLC.
The tourism group filed a lawsuit in federal court in May, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition. The suit says Recovered Gold's use of the phrase will confuse consumers into thinking the products sold by the business are affiliated with the state.
MySA News Videos
- SAPD lieutenant fired after derogatory Facebook post San Antonio Express-News
- Woman fatally ejected from vehicle during rollover crash on the far NW side San Antonio Express-News
- SAPD: Gunman fired into woman's East Side home, grazing her head San Antonio Express-News
- SAPD: Teen ambushed by two gunmen who lured him in with fake Instagram persona San Antonio Express-News
- Fight over woman leads to West Side shooting San Antonio Express-News
- SAPD: Mom drunkenly crashes into pole with 2 children in car San Antonio Express-News
- SAPD: 3-year-old in critical condition after shooting Caleb Downs
- Manhunt on after viral S.A. video shows chaotic scene San Antonio Express-News
- Bexar County SWAT team responding to barricaded man in far West Side home Facebook/ Bexar County Sheriff's Office
- Police: Driver fled after running over homeless man on S.A. road San Antonio Express-News
Attempts to reach Recovered Gold owner Andrew Newell were unsuccessful Thursday. Newell's lawyer declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Lawyers for the tourism agency did not return calls seeking comment.


text:
Android security. Last week Vodafone launched a series of updates for the HTC One, HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S5 M8 to protect customers of a serious security flaw detected in Android. Today that patch comes to the popular Samsung Galaxy Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge as OTA update that also fail to include improvements overall and service calls.
It has been a source of news on many occasions since its first detection, back in late July. Since then we have had occasion to learn more about what this vulnerability and why dangerous. Not surprisingly alarmism generated around this bug of Android has been provided to the consequences it can generate. In fact, Google itself reacted quickly to correct the security flaw in its Nexus devices, which are gradually making manufacturers and operators.
Turn the Galaxy S6
In the case of Vodafone, as already indicáted few days ago, noting and correcting the dreaded failure Stagefright in some of the devices that currently sells through its catalog. We refer to the HTC One HTC One M7 and M8, plus Samsung Galaxy S5 available in two versions. However, the operator continues with the action plan and bring the security fix another of its leading models, the Samsung Galaxy Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.
Upgrade Vodafone Samsung Galaxy S6
Check if your Android is 95% of those affected by the serious failure Stagefright. Patch against Stagefright and more. This was confirmed by the company through its official forum, from which gives us some of the details of the updates. In this case, the update OTA is identified with the version of the base band and XXU2QOH8 involves changing system version, by which the S6 and S6 Edge Galaxy will remain in version 5.1.1 Android Lollipop. Similarly, in addition to detailing the update patch containing said Stagefright safety, the operator fail to include a number of improvements across the board, as well as optimizing service calls, but no more details.
As is standard, the availability of the update will be advised to the user from the notification area. If not, there is always the possibility to force a manual check from the settings section, General, About device, system updates, check. If you prefer, you can perform the update from the PC using the Samsung Smart Switch program.
Like it? Please share!


text:
Of the 16, seven people were hospitalized and one developed kidney failure.
Of the eight people interviewed by health officials, six reported tasting or eating raw batter made with cake mix.
Those interviewed reported buying different varieties and brands of cake mix; the FDA is conducting an investigation to see if there is any common brand or production facility connected with the illnesses.
Those who became ill range in age from 2 to 73 years old, with a median age of 13, and all are female. No deaths have been reported.
The CDC said the true number of sick people is “likely much higher than the number reported” and could stretch across other states.
Officials reminded Americans to avoid eating raw batter — regardless of where it comes from.
According to the CDC, raw cake batter contains harmful germs like E.coli, which are killed only when the batter is baked or cooked. The CDC urges that people follow safe food handling practices when baking and cooking with cake mixes, flour and other raw ingredients such as eggs.


text:
Windows Phone 8 is the latest mobile operating system to come out of Microsoft. Unfortunately, according to reports from customers who purchased these handsets, the software is causing the phones to randomly reboot.
The two handsets in question are the HTC 8X and the Nokia Lumia 920. Owners of the handsets have vented out their […]
A week before, one of HTC’s first handsets running Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 was priced at £400 (HTC 8X). Now, its price has jumped up to £530. That’s an increase of £130. What’s the deal here?
The online retail giant Amazon is offering the Taiwanese firm’s Windows Phone 8X for £530. This includes free shipping. […]
Samsung was the first to unveil their Windows Phone 8-powered handset the Ativ S. Nokia soon followed with the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820. Now, HTC is promoting their Windows Phone 8 handsets as well, the 8X and the 8S.
The HTC 8X is HTC’s high-end Windows Phone 8 handset. It sports a 4.3-inch 720p […]


text:
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Since March 2020, most people spend more time on their computers interacting with businesses, friends, and family, which gives cybercriminals more targets.
From the phishing email to the social media games and pop-ups, criminals are looking to get money and information from unsuspecting people in any way they can. Understanding how to protect all of your devices and what information shouldn’t be shared online will help keep your money and data safe.
The Better Business Bureau Northwest + Pacific (BBB) offers tips to protect your online devices.
- The damage related to cybercrime is projected to hit $6 trillion annually by 2021, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
- 52% of breaches featured hacking, 28% involved malware, and 32–33% included phishing or social engineering, respectively.
- Consumers and businesses are targets of fraudulent activity online, which can lead to identity theft and financial loss.
- Password Security — Use a strong, unique password to access your bank account online and change it often. Take advantage of two-step authentication as an extra layer of protection.
- Avoid public Wi-Fi — Mobile banking allows you to access your accounts on the go, wherever you are. But proceed with caution when connecting to Wi-Fi. Make sure you’re always on a secure network when logging in.
- Beware of phishing — Be cautious of emails, phone calls, and texts that look like they’re coming from your bank or credit union. Fraudsters use legitimate-looking and sounding communication in hopes of getting you to give up your information.
- Keep a clean machine — Install a firewall, anti-virus, and anti-spyware software. Check for and install the latest updates and run virus scans regularly on your computer, tablet, and smartphone.
- Monitor accounts — No need to wait for a monthly statement, now you can check your accounts more regularly. If you have a suspicious charge, no matter big or small, look into it. You can also set up alerts to notify you of spending limits and activity.
To find a trustworthy business, go to bbb.org.


text:
Roland DG has today announced that Papergraphics has been appointed to its exclusive dealer channel to supply machines such as the TrueVis and VersaStudio ranges.
It will initially start by selling the new third generation of TrueVis printer/cutters including the VG3-640/540 and the SG3-540/300 where were launched in March this year.
It will also sell the VersaStudio BN-20 range of desktop inkjet printers, including the BN-20A which was launched at Fespa Global Print Expo last year.
Dating back nearly 40 years, Papergraphics specialises in supplying large-format inkjet print media, printers and services for the display graphics and CAD markets. It is the sole UK distributor for B-Flex heat-transfer vinyl for garment decoration.
The team at Papergraphics have undergone extensive training to enter the elite group of Roland DG approved dealers and, as part of the new “long-standing partnership”, the company is now certified to sell some of Roland’s signature product lines.
Alistair Travis, business development manager at Papergraphics, said: “Papergraphics share Roland DG’s customer support ethos. Our entire team focuses on helping our customers to find opportunities to grow and diversify their businesses.
“We are thrilled to be part of the exclusive Roland DG network of UK dealers. Roland DG’s printer/cutter technology is superb. We’re eager to demonstrate to our vinyl graphics and garment decoration customers a world-class integrated solution combined with our Stickyprints self-adhesive vinyl range and B-Flex’s heat-transfer vinyl.”
Rob Goleniowski, head of sales for the UK and Ireland at Roland DG in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, added: “At Roland DG, we know how important it is for our customers to access our innovative machines and experts who understand them.
“That’s why we are pleased to partner and collaborate with a company that has nearly four decades of experience in the large-format printing industry. This appointment will provide us a scope of customer sentiment on the ground.”
Papergraphics provides application and equipment demonstrations of the products that it supplies at its customer experience centre in Crawley, West Sussex, near Gatwick Airport.


text:
The Chancellor announced that the personal allowance will be increased to £10,800 in 2016/17 and to £11,000 in 2017/18. The Transferable Tax Allowance will also rise in line with the personal allowance, being 10% of the personal allowance for the year.
The higher rate threshold will rise in line with the personal allowance, taking it to £42,700 in 2016/17 and £43,300 in 2017/18 for those entitled to the full personal allowance.
Personal Savings Allowance
The Chancellor announced that legislation will be introduced in a future Finance Bill to apply a Personal Savings Allowance to income such as bank and building society interest from 6 April 2016.
The Personal Savings Allowance will apply for up to £1,000 of a basic rate taxpayer's savings income, and up to £500 of a higher rate taxpayer's savings income each year. The Personal Savings Allowance will not be available for additional rate taxpayers.
These changes will have effect from 6 April 2016 and the Personal Savings Allowance will be in addition to the tax advantages currently available to savers from Individual Savings Accounts.
The Personal Savings Allowance will provide basic and higher rate taxpayers with a tax saving of up to £200 each year.
Internet link: GOV.UK News


text:
At an internal meeting, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer admitted that the company overproduced the Surface RT tablet, leading to its recent $150 per unit price cut. As quoted by The Verge’s Tom Warren, Ballmer plainly explained that the company “built a few more devices than [it] could sell.”
But we already knew that.
In its most recent quarterly earnings release, Microsoft took a $900 million charge relating to the Surface RT tablet line, essentially admitting that the inventory that it has on hand was not worth its previous internal valuation; you can’t cut the market price of a product that you have in a warehouse and not lower its value on your books. The write down cost Microsoft $0.07 per share. It missed expectations for the quarter.
Microsoft has been on a mission to clear Surface RT inventory for some time. As I wrote earlier this year, through a combination of giveaways and discounts, Microsoft was moving to liquidate what appeared to be mountainous superfluous unit volume of its ARM-based Windows tablet hybrid.
At that time, Microsoft released a bland statement, saying that the offers and handouts were in “response” to the “positive reaction” Surface had enjoyed since launch. That felt a bit backwards: If response had been so strong, why give away a single device or discount? Wouldn’t organic demand be sufficient? Well, as it turns out, reaction hasn’t been overly positive, so the entire argument was logically moot.
Ballmer said something else during the meeting that is a non-surprise: Microsoft is not selling as many Windows devices as it would like. We knew that, too. The figures released quarterly that describe the PC market are brutal — and dropping. Even Apple is suffering from declining Mac sales in the face of nearly insurmountable headwinds that it helped to create with its leadership of post-PC product categories.
Next-generation Surface devices are being designed and tested. I suspect that Microsoft learned its lesson regarding production volume: Prove product-market fit first, and then kick the afterburners.
Top Image Credit: BUILDWindows


text:
Windows 7 will be like Windows Vista, but more so, Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer said today as he defended the first two years of Vista and claimed its successor will be a major release.
After users disputed his count, a Microsoft executive explained how the company concluded that the upcoming Windows 7 is the seventh version of the operating system.
Microsoft has announced that the code name for its next operating system, Windows 7, will be the product's official name.
Microsoft plans to improve the much-maligned user account control (UAC) feature in the next version of its Windows client OS, acknowledging that the new security feature it built into Windows Vista has caused unnecessary problems for users.
Microsoft Wednesday squelched speculation on when the public would get its hands on Windows 7 code by confirming that attendees at its Professional Developers Conference would receive a pre-beta version.
Microsoft won't likely miss the chance to showcase Windows 7 in the next two months at a pair of tech conferences, and will give developers code for hands-on work, an analyst said Monday.
Microsoft has already seeded its most popular patching tool for corporate users with a reference to Windows 7, its planned successor to Windows Vista.
Microsoft's head of engineering for the Windows 7 operating system says there are 25 'feature teams' of about 100 employees each working on the upcoming replacement to Windows Vista.
Most Popular Reviews
- 1 Sony Xperia Z3 review: The no-frills flagship
- 2 Samsung's Galaxy Alpha review: A peek into the Galaxy S6
- 3 Samsung Galaxy Note 4 review: The busiest, biggest and best Samsung phablet
- 4 Aldi's $279 Bauhn Sphere review: Disappointing
- 5 Nokia Lumia 735 review: Perfectly ordinary
Best Deals on GoodGearGuide
Latest News Articles
- Reports: North Korea's Internet access, mobile networks down
- PlayStation Network recovering after outage
- Hackers target Tor as PlayStation disruption continues
- Connected, self-driving cars in the front seat at CES
- MIT unifies Web development in a single, speedy new language
GGG Evaluation Team
First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.


text:
The launch of Prinkshop’s new line with J. Crew has garnered significant media attention. In particular, their “I am a Feminist Too” shirt for boys has been met with strong support (selling out in a matter of hours) and debate.
Prinkshop creates clothing with the aim of spreading awareness about important issues such as gun control in the US, women’s reproductive rights and access to education. As an atelier for change, they seek to spark discussion and expression. Their rapidly growing following has attracted collaboration with major brands, such as J. Crew.
Uncommon Union works with Prinkshop on numerous campaigns, including the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up program, which is a beneficiary of the J. Crew line as well.


text:
Government agencies love to regulate. After all, that’s what they do. Sometimes the regulations are warranted, necessary and a good thing. But many times they are not. I get the feeling that these agencies are not busy enough so look for things to regulate. That is too much of a good thing… if you can really call most regulations a “good thing”.
Just recently I was speaking with Anton Monk of Entropic, the chip company that makes the widely used MoCA home networking chips and set top box (STB) SoCs. MoCA chips use the existing in-home cable TV coax wiring to distribute cable TV signals and Internet access to PCs, TVs, routers, and DVRs. Monk explained that the Department of Energy (DoE) had recently decided to clamp down on STB manufacturers because of the high power consumption. Most people leave their set top boxes on for a fast start when they turn on the TV set. Even if the box is turned off, it is still technically on because it needs to be because it is connected to the cable network and gets its directions, software updates and new TV schedules during the night. And you certainly don’t want to unplug the box as it will take a half hour or so to reboot it. With millions of STBs in the U.S. each eating up 30 watts or so when on and maybe a fourth of that when “off”, that’s too much wasted power.
This situation is similar to the charger problem. Most people leave their cell phone and other device chargers plugged in even when not charging. These devices consume power even when not charging so are a constant drain on the grid. Everyone should faithfully unplug their chargers when not using them. I doubt that will ever happen. The outcome is that charger manufacturers had to resort to different designs that consumed less power when plugged in but not charging. This is a good thing as it must save a gazillion kilowatt/hours of energy during the year. It may be possible to save even more if STBs were more power efficient.
Anyway, the DoE decided to back off from the original proposed regulations and told the industry to self regulate the power consumption of STBs. The industry was required to submit such self regulation guidelines to the DoE by September 30th. That was done by industry standards group Cable Labs. The details are not known yet. Hopefully the DoE will be happy with the self regulation details so that no formal regulations will be necessary.
Chip makers like Entropic have already taken steps to add power saving features like sleep and standby modes into their devices. Most now incorporate a power management section that keeps specific circuits like processors and interfaces shut down unless they are being used. Big power savings will result in the forthcoming generation of STBs and DVRs.
I wish the government would do more of the self regulation approach. Who knows best how to control their products and technology than the manufacturers?


text:
Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has a nifty trick which could save hundreds of pounds on shoppers’ groceries.
He has explained that supermarkets stock identical items for different prices, but it all depends on where they are located in the store.
Martin said on the Martin Lewis Money Show: "The next time you go to the supermarket, it’s time to turn detective.
"Hidden amongst the little used aisles you might find regular food stuff at a much cheaper price."
The This Morning regular added: "We already know supermarkets in different areas charge different prices for the same items.
"However, one supermarket might stock identical items but have different prices depending on which aisle it is in."
Martin explained that a bottle of sweet chilli sauce might cost £1.55 in the usual condiments aisle, while in the World Food aisle it might be £1.50 for a larger bottle.
He also advised visiting the deli food aisle, as pre-packaged sliced meat may cost £2.15 in one aisle, while it could cost £1.26 at the deli counter.
Last month, Martin advised people not to invest in Bitcoin after it hit the headlines as prices began to surge.
Writing on his website, Money Saving Expert, Martin said: "Don’t put your money into something you don’t understand.
"My very simple answer is if you don’t understand Bitcoin you should not be investing in it.
"That doesn’t mean you must understand the nitty-gritty of the tech behind it, but you need to understand what you’re getting into – how it works as an investment, how liquid it is (ie, can you get out when you want to), the level of risk and what can drive the price up and down.
"So if you’re going to invest, you need to start doing research and reading.
"The mere fact that a friend has told you it’s a good idea, doesn’t mean it’s right for you."
Martin often delivers his money-saving advice in a passionate rant, something which has previously caused chaos on the set of This Morning.


text:
Toyota faces class action lawsuit over excessive transportation fees
Toyota, the Japanese automobile manufacturer, is facing a class action lawsuit in Quebec, Canada, for allegedly charging excessive transportation fees to customers. The lawsuit, filed in the Quebec Superior Court, claims that Toyota charged customers higher transportation fees than what was necessary, resulting in an estimated overcharge of millions of dollars.
In Quebec, car manufacturers are allowed to charge customers for transportation fees, which cover the cost of delivering the vehicle from the factory to the dealership. However, these fees are supposed to be reasonable and reflect the actual cost of transportation.
According to the class action lawsuit, Toyota charged customers transportation fees that were higher than what was necessary, leading to an overcharge of between $50 and $1,500 per vehicle. The lawsuit alleges that Toyota used a formula that took into account factors such as the distance between the factory and the dealership, but did not accurately reflect the actual cost of transportation.
The lawsuit also claims that Toyota did not disclose the true nature of the transportation fees to customers and instead presented them as mandatory charges. This, the lawsuit alleges, misled customers into paying more than what was necessary.
Response from Toyota
Toyota has yet to respond to the class action lawsuit. However, the company has previously faced similar allegations in other provinces in Canada. In 2018, a class action lawsuit was filed against Toyota in Ontario, which alleged that the company charged excessive transportation fees to customers. Toyota settled the lawsuit for $30 million, without admitting any wrongdoing.
In response to the Ontario lawsuit, Toyota issued a statement saying that it "disagreed with the allegations" but decided to settle in order to avoid the cost and uncertainty of litigation.
Implications for customers
If the class action lawsuit is successful, Toyota could be ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages to customers in Quebec. The lawsuit is seeking compensation for the overcharged transportation fees, as well as punitive damages.
For customers who have purchased a Toyota vehicle in Quebec, this lawsuit may present an opportunity to seek compensation for any overcharged transportation fees. However, it is important to note that the lawsuit has not yet been certified as a class action, and it may take several years before any resolution is reached.
The class action lawsuit against Toyota highlights the importance of transparency and fairness in pricing. Customers have the right to expect that the fees they are being charged reflect the actual cost of the goods or services they are purchasing. If companies are found to be overcharging customers, they should be held accountable and required to compensate those customers.
That's it for this article.
Thanks for Visiting Us – fixyanet.com


text:
Guest Blog: STEVE ROACH, SAFE & HEALTHY FOOD PROGRAM DIRECTOR, FOOD ANIMAL CONCERNS TRUST McDonald’s has been an industry leader among fast food chains on reducing the overuse of antibiotics in its meat supply, but now it seems the company is leading in the wrong direction. The company missed an internal deadline to set antibiotic use reduction targets for its global beef supply by 2020. Then last year, it stopped talking about reduction targets and switched to talking about “responsible use”. Finally, at the end of last year, McDonald’s made public what it is calling responsible use targets. It is not clear at all whether or not these targets are responsible.
top of page
bottom of page


text:
Researchers are teasing apart the complex set of links between the virality of a Web story and the emotions it generates.
A simple way to pick up and place diamond nanosheets finally makes it possible to test this wonder material in a wide range of devices, say materials scientists.
By studying the network of links between Indian recipes, computer scientists have discovered that the presence of certain spices makes a meal much less likely to contain ingredients with flavors in common.
The ability to spot faces from any angle, and even when partially occluded, has always been a uniquely human capability. Not anymore.
Researchers are assessing the potential of an entirely new way to make exotic materials based on microfluidic self-assembly.
Using the Internet can destroy your faith. That’s the conclusion of a study showing that the dramatic drop in religious affiliation in the U.S. since 1990 is closely mirrored by the increase in Internet use.
Conventional batteries take so long to charge that they cannot efficiently store braking energy. Graphene supercapacitors store almost as much but charge in just 16 seconds.
A study of the social network behind the Occupy movement shows that the most vocal participants were highly connected before the protests began but have now largely lost interest, say social network researchers


text:
Kevin Gass, Vice President Lottery Gaming, BCLC (British Columbia Lottery Corporation)
A lottery’s approach to the global pandemic
COVID-19 has significantly affected every single sector of the economy, and of course, lotteries are no different. One key challenge about this worldwide pandemic is how rapidly the situation evolved and how quickly the industry needed to make business decisions to support the safety of our people, players and communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, BCLC has consistently advised players and retail partners to put their health and safety first by following the Provincial Health Officer’s directions and emphasized that lottery tickets are conveniently available online at PlayNow.com or on the BCLC Lotto! app. PlayNow.com’s lottery and casino business more than doubled in the first week.
BCLC, along with all of the Canadian jurisdictions, implemented a six-month expiry-date extension for lottery tickets that have an expiry date between March 17, 2020 and September 17, 2020 in recognition that physical-distancing requirements to help stop the spread of COVID-19 may affect players’ ability to claim prizes. Following the temporary closure or BCLC’s prize-payout offices on March 18, 2020, we implemented an alternate remote prize-claim process to pay out prizes to winners.
In fact, we held our first-ever virtual winners celebration on the Lotto BC Facebook page on April 23, 2020 and paid Tibor Tusnady with his $16 million Lotto 6/49 win in front of a live Facebook audience. More than 7,300 viewers saw the online event, many of whom posted congratulatory messages to Tibor. It was a virtual, feel-good first for BCLC and its players, and received significant provincial media coverage from more than 35 major media outlets.
BCLC has paid out other large prizes to winners, since the onset of COVID-19 restrictions, and shares these positive stories with media. Media and players have received these stories well, demonstrating that people crave a feel-good story during these challenging times – and continue to enjoy the chance to dream that comes along with playing the lottery.
BCLC’s 3,500 retailers are our front-line lottery ambassadors, so we continue to listen to their feedback and consider it as part of any operational changes. Since day one of this crisis, BCLC has supported the decisions of our private-sector lottery retailers to reduce hours, close locations and/or implement proper physical-distancing protocols; some lottery retailers have suspended lottery sales altogether, while others continue to operate and are adhering to physical-distancing directions.
To support certain retailers’ focus on essential services, primarily food and pharmacy, we also adjusted the availability of our in-lane experience at grocery, called Lotto Express. Early on, we also modified our Advance Buy lottery service to prevent our players from using their money to purchase future lottery tickets, should the COVID crisis affect future draws.
More recently, as our grocery retailers have adapted to the COVID environment, we have re-introduced Lotto Express at select stores that continue to sell lottery. BCLC re-introduced the option to Advance Buy for these games following feedback from players and retailers who told us that suspension of the option prompted players to leave their homes more frequently than they would if they purchased in advance. Some retailers who decided to suspend lottery sales in the earlier days of the COVID-19 pandemic have since decided to resume sales with additional measures in place to protect their employees.
Here in B.C., where BCLC also conducts and manages online and casino gambling, we temporarily closed all of our bricks-and-mortar facilities on March 16, 2020 following a directive to do so from our government. Private-sector service providers operate our casinos and these companies – like all of ours – continue to face significant financial challenges as a result.
Anticipating business recovery
When the time comes to emerge from the physical-distancing requirements currently in place, BCLC anticipates draw-based games and Scratch & Win to recover faster as these products remained available for purchase at limited lottery retail outlets throughout the pandemic.
Acknowledging the uncertainty of the near future, we will focus on various purchase options, encouraging players to focus on the safest-possible option for both purchasing and prize payout.
We will also seek to understand how COVID has affected our players personally, financially and physically, and provide them with an entertainment experience that considers these factors. The same goes for our retail partners. We will continue to learn from them about how this pandemic has affected their operations, and work together to develop new and improved ways to support their operations and sales, while protecting their health and wellbeing – and that of our players.
Here in Canada, we know that COVID-19 has changed consumer behaviour. A national Angus Reid Institute poll taken during the last week of March indicates that 48 per cent of those surveyed completed online retail shopping in the last week, an increase of 10 per cent as compared to two weeks prior. When asked about online shopping once COVID subsides, the percentage of those surveyed who said they would continue doing grocery shopping online increased by 23 per cent as compared to weeks prior.
In B.C., since COVID-related physical-distancing restrictions took effect, we have seen significant growth in e-lottery sales and new online account registrations.
The growth of our online products – combined with the latest research – highlights that, more so than ever before, it is time to accelerate our focus on a seamless, omni-channel experience for our players.
This work is well underway at BCLC as part of Personal Player Experience (P360), a key component of our Corporate Strategic Plan, to offer our players customized, cross-channel experiences – whether they are playing our games online, at land-based facilities or at retail.
Some other exciting opportunities BCLC is exploring to adopt greater digital integration include a pilot for “Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store” at grocery and a pilot for online home delivery as part of a grocery order, for example. In addition, another sales channel we are piloting is the expansion of Lotto Express to self-serve grocery checkouts.
By focusing as an industry on digital integration of our business, we’re best positioned to inspire our players to dream, connect, play and be entertained – anytime and any place they choose.
We have 3710 guests and no members online


text:
TESLA may be known for building arguably Tomorrowland’s sexy vehicles, but now they’re about to unveil their first expansion into actual robotics.
Optimus, the first humanoid robot, was unveiled at the brand’s annual shareholder meeting last week.
Despite Musk’s excitement over the release of the Tesla bot, some people find the machine sounds terrifying.
A Creative Bloq reporter described the shareholders’ “first look” as “very, very creepy.”
Tech fans have also taken to Twitter to voice concerns.
A person tweeted: “Speaking of robots being freaking creepy, have you seen the Tesla bot?”
while another said: “This AI bot is awkward/creepy Elon.”
At Tesla’s first AI Day last year, some of the company’s details about the robot were shared: its 5ft 8in stature and an on-screen face shared by Creative Bloq.
Elon Musk mentioned that the robot would be ready in a year.
Enter: AI Day Part 2 is slated for September 30, where Tesla fans will either get the much-anticipated confirmation or be urged to be patient.
The robot, according to the outlet, was designed with the intention of serving Tesla’s factories and doing simple tasks currently done by employees.
As a visionary, Musk told the shareholders’ meeting that he expects Optimus to be “more valuable than the car in the long run.”
“It will turn the whole concept of the economy upside down.”
Musk has also noted that the robot has the potential to receive an AI brain that would empower it to perform more complicated tasks and behaviors.
He has big plans for his humanoid robots, billionaire Tesla and the CEO of SpaceX revealed in a podcast last year.
Musk told the Lex Fridman Podcast that his Tesla Bots could one day be both companions and workers.
He said: “It could develop a unique personality over time. It’s not that all robots are the same.
“This personality could evolve to suit the owner, or whatever you want to call it.”
Technological advances have caused panic on Twitter.
@TinyFighterGirl tweeted “People need people, not AI. NO THANK YOU.”
They ended their post with a meme from the office where Steve Carrell’s Michael Scott shakes his head and says, “No. I do not like it.
Musk also explained that the first focus of his humanoid robots is to do jobs that humans don’t want to do.
Despite, or perhaps because of, its imperfections, Musk said the robot could make “the perfect sidekick.”
The last AI day took place near Tesla’s global headquarters, Musk’s gigafactory Texas.
https://www.the-sun.com/tech/5979809/terrifying-humanoid-tesla-robot-to-be-revealed-next-month/ Panic sparked Elon Musk’s “terrifying” humanoid Tesla robot, set to be unveiled next month


text:
- Mighty No. 9 goes gooooold, launching on June 21 for console, PC
- Touhou Genso Rondo: Bullet Ballet headed stateside September 9
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Modern Warfare Remastered announced
- GTA Online getting In And Out Adversary mode, event next week
- New gameplay footage released from Space Hulk: Deathwing
Fancy A Date?
Developer- and Publisher-specific Articles: Lumines
Ubisoft is going all-in on Sony’s upcoming PlayStation Portable successor, PS Vita. The studio has announced six titles currently in development, including some from their biggest franchises. Vita owners can look forward to diving into new entries of Asphalt, Assassin’s Creed, Dungeon Hunter Alliance, Lumines, and Michael Jackson the Experience, as well as the upcoming Rayman Origins.


text:
The anniversary cans feature legacy artwork and popular advertising slogans such as "I'm a Pepper" and "10, 2 and 4." In addition, 12-pack cases highlight key moments from the brand's history from its origin at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store [image-nocss] in Waco, Texas, in 1885, and its introduction at the 1904 World's Fair, to the "I'm a Pepper" advertisements first released in 1977.
"Dr Pepper has evolved for 125 years, thanks to its unique flavor and a fan base that continues to grow," said Dave Fleming, director of marketing for Dr Pepper. "We're honoring the brand's legacy and thanking our fans everywhere for their support by offering something specialcommemorative cans depicting some of the most memorable moments in our history."
Dr Pepper kicked off its anniversary year on the symbolic date of Jan. 25, 2010, when Dr Pepper ad icons David Naughton and Gene Simmons rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Continuing the celebration, the brand launched its Dr Pepper Cherry flavor during Super Bowl XLIV. The ad spot featured Gene Simmons as "Doctor Love" joined by Paul Stanley and their KISS band mates as well as tribute band MiniKISS.
Dr Pepper 125th anniversary product is available in 12-oz. cans with six collectible can designs and 20-oz bottles at retailers nationwide, until supplies last.
The Plano, Texas-based company would not say whether it will try out sugar in other brands such as Canada Dry, 7-Up and A&W Root Beer, added an Associated Press report.
Manufacturers are testing sugar drinks as people's appetite for them increases, as some become concerned about high-fructose corn syrup. Though they are nutritionally almost identical and equally caloric, some consumers believe corn syrup is less healthy than sugar, the news agency said.
They are also racing to come up with natural, no-calorie sweeteners and reformulate their beverages, though they have not been able to apply that to major soft drink brands yet, said the report.
Last summer, PepsiCo Inc. launched real-sugar versions of Pepsi and Mountain Dew, calling them "Throwback" and using old packaging designs. Pepsi Throwback was so popular the company brought it back for a brief time in the winter. It declined to tell AP what the drink's prospects are for the future.
Coca-Cola Co. offers a kosher version of Coke that uses sugar, often available around Passover, added the report. Mexican-made Coca-Cola, which also uses real sugar, can sometimes be found in the United States, and fans pay a higher price for it. One Dr Pepper bottler, Dublin Dr Pepper, has been making the soft drink with sugar since 1891, in the drink's home state of Texas.
More could be coming, AP said. PepsiCo's Sierra Mist line will now be reformulating into a sugar-sweetened version called "Sierra Mist Natural," citing a Beverage Digest report. PepsiCo, based in Purchase, N.Y., did not return messages seeking comment, said AP.
Dr Pepper, a brand of Dr Pepper Snapple Group, is the oldest major soft drink in the United States. The brand is available in Regular, Diet, Caffeine Free and Cherry varieties. DPS is a leading producer of flavored soft drinks, marketing Dr Pepper and 50-plus other beverage brands across North America and the Caribbean.


text:
Adidas is rapidly expanding its e-commerce platforms. Jacqueline Smith-Dubendorfer has been significantly involved in the online offensive as a manager for seven years. In an interview with ISPO.com, she explains how Adidas intends to achieve its high goals in online retail with strategic partnerships.
With its “Creating the New” strategy, Adidas is driving the digital transformation forward. At the ISPO Digitize Summit, Roland Auschel and Jacqueline Smith-Dubendorfer explain how Adidas aims to win the race together with its retail partners.
Digitalization represents a huge challenge for retail trade. At the ISPO Digitize, the CEO of the ANWR Group (incl. Sport 2000) explains how the bricks-and-mortar trade must address the digital transformation.


text: Ultreo, the competitor, plans to contest P&G claims that it is misleading customers with its marketing. The oral-care company's advertising literature claims that the Ultreo Ultrasound toothbrush creates micro-bubbles capable of removing stubborn plaque. P&G alleges that its own clinical study shows that the brush removes more plaque with the ultrasound feature turned off. The personal care giant claims that Ultreo has provided no clinical studies on customers that support its claim that the ultrasound technology removes plaque. Paul Warren, a P&G executive said: "Ultreo has provided no clinical proof that the ultrasound makes any difference in plaque removal." Ultreo disputed these claims in a statement, saying that strong scientific evidence and a number of human clinical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the ultrasound technology. The company claimed that a recent study indicated that eight out of 10 consumers who used Ultreo would switch to Ultreo from their current power toothbrush. "While we prefer to compete in the marketplace, we are prepared for a vigorous legal response to P&G's complaint," said a spokesperson in a statement. The lawsuit was filed on 27 September, a day before the launch of P&G's Oral-B Triumph, at the American Dental Association Annual Session. P&G claims claims that its Oral-B toothbrush can tell users through a wireless display when they are brushing too hard and when to move to the next part of the mouth. P&G filed the suit in the US district court for southern New York.


text:
Africa ready to accommodate ICT start-ups
BUSINESS| Oct. 17, 2012, 1:41 p.m.
Now is the time for startups to embrace the many opportunities within the burgeoning ICT sector, says Marnus Viljoen, Chief Technology Officer at FOXit.
The ICT market would not be where it is right now without the contribution and significance of startup technology companies.
This is the view of executive management at FOXit, an Independent Software Vendor and Microsoft-certified Gold Partner.
Marnus Viljoen, Chief Technology Officer at FOXit, says “startups are the heart and soul of the ICT market. They are that special place where dreams become innovation and innovation becomes success.”
Viljoen believes now is the time for startups to really embrace the many opportunities within the burgeoning ICT sector. One of the reasons is because of the level of industry-led support, via training and development initiatives, that exists and that entrepreneurs can take advantage of.
He cites the Microsoft Bizspark Program as an example. This program helps startup companies by doing away with the initial cost of both software and servers, allowing them to focus on products and services instead of overheads.
Another similar initiative is that of South Africa's Aurik Business Incubator, a company that is focused on the development of entrepreneurial businesses.
A lack of available capital represents an ongoing challenge to entrepreneurs wanting to enter and sustain operations within ICT.
This shortage has resulted in the rapid increase in angel investors and venture capitalists. Viljoen believes the advantage of establishing a partnership like this is that in many cases it would be impossible for the startup to achieve success without this capital outlay.
But is a startup that has been able to sustain itself without any capital investment from outside the company automatically a stronger operation compared to one that has relied on investors? This is about long-term growth strategy management says Viljoen.
“Although a company that held its own knows how to conservatively grow only where it is truly able to, a company that had the advantage of capital investment will have the advantage of showing more profitability much quicker - and will reach a stronger vantage point much quicker in its life cycle,” he says.
The most important thing for any new company is to minimize overheads and only expand when this expansion can be sustained Viljoen continues.
“Africa has a fantastic supply of skilled resources and, with the constant development of infrastructure, the region’s growing ICT market is an attractive option for potential investors and entrepreneurs,” he concludes.
MORE BUSINESS NEWS
Top 10 risks worth considering when expanding into AfricaCompanies planning to expand across Africa must make a concerted effort to understand the risks, and not assume they “know” Africa, says ContinuitySA. Read More
Shop Soko connects Kenyan artisans to lucrative international marketsA new e-commerce platform, Shop Soko, is helping Kenyans access a lucrative international market. Read More
Ricoh SA begins rollout of new services-led strategy, Africa expansionJacques van Wyk has been appointed Ricoh SA’s new COO to drive the expanded strategy that will enable the business to become a services-led organisation and see its expansion into the rest of Africa. Read More
Stock Exchange launches news serviceA news service by the name of X-News has become the latest product coming from the local bourse, the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) recently. Read More
Telkom forays into Botswana through acquisitionSouth African telecommunications giant Telkom is making inroads into the Botswana market through the acquisition of an ICT company, Business Connexion (BCX). Read More
Umati Capital secures $10m finance line from ApexPeakKenyan financial tech startup Umati Capital has agreed a deal with ApexPeak securing its first line of wholesale capital. Read More
Kirusa acquires Ghana’s Saya MobileVoice messaging and social media apps firm Kirusa has acquired Ghana-based Saya Mobile, which provides instant messaging apps geared specifically for African consumers. Read More
SAP to invest up to $500m in African innovationSAP has announced a long-term commitment to regional expansion, sustainable growth and skills development of up to 10,000 IT consultants in Africa. Read More
Microsoft, UNDP partner to support Ethiopian entrepreneursMicrosoft has signed a collaborative agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under which Microsoft will provide training and mentorship services to 200,000 Ethiopian entrepreneurs. Read More
Location based services market to reach $43.3bn by 2019A new report from Juniper Research forecasts that the Mobile Context and Location Services market will reach $43.3bn in revenue by 2019. Read More
FEATURED STORYNigeria’s VAS providers ‘on brink of extinction’
WASPAN chief Simon Aderinlola says unless the regulator intervenes, WASPAN may not have anything left to regulate. Kokumo Goodie reports.
BEST READ NEWS
IN DEPTHKenya rolls out e-extension to improve agriculture
In a bid to curb the overwhelmed number of agricultural extension officers in Kenya, the ministry of agriculture is embracing technology with their introduction of E-Extension services, which are aimed at reaching out to over 7 million farmers annually.
COMPANY NEWSSage CRM is Umsinsi Health Care’s engine for growth
Umsinsi Health Care, a distributor of medical products, has enhanced customer service and streamlined its business processes by implementing Sage CRM as its customer relationship management platform.


text:
RIZAL COMMERCIAL Banking Corp. (RCBC) expects the cumulative policy rate cuts by the central bank to boost loan demand.
“That will result in interest rates easing, particularly the lending rates. That will now attract more business customers. They will be encouraged to resort to more borrowings for their consumer financing,” Rommel S. Latinazo, RCBC Consumer Lending Group head, said in a briefing on Thursday.
Mr. Latinazo said RCBC’s consumer lending book grew close to 14% in 2018.
“So expect more traffic because of banks supporting the auto industry. And then of course, we’d like to continue supporting our countrymen in terms of the need for shelter for their home needs. With the easing of rates, demand should further grow,” he added.
RCBC’s consumer loan book is currently at P90 billion, according to Mr. Latinazo. This is against the bank’s lending portfolio of P480 billion.
The official said RCBC is betting on the consumer sector to boost its lending business noting that the bank has consistently seen double-digit growth in the segment.
“The intention is to sustain our double-digit growth in terms of consumer lending. Consumer lending together with SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) lending will be the pillars of growth for the bank moving forward,” he said.
Mr. Latinazo said RCBC is looking to utilize technologies such as data science, online loan applications, and credit scoring to attract more customers and to ensure efficiency in their credit processing.
“We’re targeting to launch it (online loan applications) once we get approval from regulatory bodies by first quarter of next year,” said Emmanuel K. Valdez, RCBC’s deposit products and promotions division head.
Aside from this, RCBC has also rolled out car and home loan products that come with insurance coverage for the duration of the loan.
RCBC shares lost 15 centavos or 0.57% to close at P26 each on Thursday. — LWTN


text:
The Forrester Consulting Opportunity Snapshot study, which was commissioned by Permutive, explored brands’ and publishers’ concerns around data deprecation. The study charted their priorities and efforts in developing first-party data strategies.
The fact that brands most likely won’t have the ability to achieve their marketing goals at the expense of customer trust means that gaining this trust is a top priority. The study showed that 42% of publishers are prioritising improving customer satisfaction and trust ahead of increasing subscriptions. More than a third of brands stated a priority to improve customer trust (36%) and satisfaction (33%).
In unsurprising figures, the data reveals that 73% of brands are concerned about increasing privacy regulations, and over two-thirds (70%) are concerned that consumers will decline consent to use their data for marketing, which will disrupt business as usual for many brands.
How can brands and publishers work together to overcome the loss of data?
Interestingly, one of the key findings was that while data deprecation will cause havoc in terms of brands’ marketing strategies, it could also present an opportunity to build and strengthen direct brand-publisher relationships. Half of publishers (50%) said they see data deprecation as an opportunity to work more closely with advertisers.
It seems brands are starting to adopt publishers’ first-party data in an effort to kickstart their new marketing strategies as a result of the death of data as we know it. However, the study showed that only 39% of brands currently use publishers’ first-party data in half or more campaigns, with 41% still relying on third-party data to properly target their audiences. It seems there could still be a long way to go…
95% of publishers said they have already started building their first-party data monetisation strategies, with hopes of increasing their subscriptions and gaining even more first-party data.
This has meant that stronger relationships with brands have been built; 90% of publishers stated they have at least one direct brand relationship in place, while a further 60% said they have five or more direct relationships with brands to sell first-party audience data.
Joe Root, CEO and Co-founder of Permutive commented: “This research only goes to highlight that publisher first-party data will be paramount to tailored and relevant digital advertising and will drive trusted, direct relationships between brands and publishers.
“…It should be seen as a tremendous opportunity to build privacy-safe solutions that empower publishers and ensure brands can reach their audience while building trust with consumers.
“Publishers’ first-party data will be the new media currency in the future of digital marketing as a privacy-safe foundation for brands to continue targeting consumers — without identifying and tracking them across domains. But brands and publishers must partner if they are to tackle data depreciation.”
It seems publishers are in the best position here, as they will have brands galore relying on their first-party data in order to strategise in a privacy-friendly way. Do you think this is the solution, do you think brands can achieve the same results themselves, or by using other solutions?
We’d love to hear your opinion on this. Please do get in touch and let us know how you think the loss of cookies can be tackled.


text:
Audi’s hybrid-powered A6 has reportedly been scrapped, after the large sedan attracted just 4000 customers worldwide.
Of that paltry figure, around 3200 were sold in Asia, while an expected launch into the hybrid-loving US market never eventuated.
Powered by a petrol-electric arrangement that saw a 155kW 2.0 TFSI petrol engine paired with a 33kW/211Nm electric motor, the A6 Hybrid could reach 100km/h on electric power alone.
Using both methods of propulsion, the A6 Hybrid could reach 100km/h from rest in 7.3 seconds, and returned a fuel figure of 6.2 l/100km.
The Hybrid could also cover up to three kilometres on battery power alone, while travelling at around 60km/h.
There was no mention of the Hybrid power-plant when Audi announced its updated-for-2015 A6 and A6 Avant wagon, with a selection of three TFSI petrol and five TDI diesel units offered in various markets instead.
Each engine for 2015 is Euro 6 emissions compliant and uses up to 22 percent less fuel than in the previous model. This improvement alone may have made it difficult to justify the continuation of the Hybrid.
- Interested in buying AUDI A6? Visit our AUDI A6 showroom for more information.


text:
Volkswagen has released the first official images of the seventh-generation Golf GTI, which will be available in two versions, the GTI and the diesel GTD, will premiere in Geneva and will go on sale in Germany from € 28,350. In the rest of Europe it is expected to be available by next May.
The special feature of the new Golf GTI is that for the first time in history there will be an improved version directly from the factory. It will be called “Performance” and it will be equipped with a 2,0 liter four cylinder turbo engine with 230 hp instead of the 220 hp “simple” GTI.
However, with either 220 or 230 hp, the new top Golf will be fast, 0-100 in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 245 km/h for the 220 hp GTI and 0-100 in 6.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h for the Performance edition. In combination with the manual 6 speed gearbox (a dual-clutch automatic DSG will be optionally available) the CO2 emissions will be 139 g./Km.
The GTI stands at the exterior from the simple version of the VW Golf VII, thanks to the distinctive red mask, the new bumpers, the aerodynamic body kit, the 17 inch wheels and the red brake calipers. The interior remains with the traditional plaid lining at the sports seats a racing steering wheel and a racing gear selector.


text:
Jun 1, 2022
Levi sees sales reaching US$10B in new set of targets
Luxury Retail Market is Strong, Says Sadove
Denim maker Levi Strauss & Co. is scaling up investment in its stores and website, as well as women’s apparel, to reach a sales target of US$9 billion to US$10 billion by 2027.
In a new set of strategic targets, Levi now sees sales growth of six per cent to eight per cent annually, up from its prior goal of four per cent to six per cent. The company also expects its own website and retail stores to generate 55 per cent of annual sales, compared with the 39 per cent they generated in the first quarter.
Levi’s revenue was US$5.8 billion in the fiscal year ended in November 2021. The announcement comes ahead of the San Francisco-based company’s meeting with investors Wednesday.
Levi’s strategy is to increasingly push shoppers toward its own branded stores and website. While the company will continue offering products at other retailers, it wants to emphasize sales via its own channels, since they are more profitable and offer more data about customer shopping habits.
“We’re intentionally focused on more premium customers, more digital customers,” Chief Executive Officer Chip Bergh said in an interview with Bloomberg News. “And that mix has resulted in a more profitable wholesale business for us.”
Levi has consistently posted profit and sales that topped analyst expectations in recent quarters. Even so, the stock has slumped this year amid a broad retreat in US equity markets. At times, shares have dipped below the US$17 level set at the company’s 2019 initial public offering.
The company said on Wednesday that it’s boosting investor returns through its share-repurchase program. It plans to buy back US$750 million of stock.
Levi also aims to nearly double the revenue it gets from women’s apparel, which currently comprises about a third of sales. The denim maker predominantly catered to men when Bergh joined the company about a decade ago, Chief Financial Officer Harmit Singh said. The company recently acquired Beyond Yoga, a women’s sportswear brand.
It will seek to boost the visibility of that brand, along with its Dockers and namesake brands, Levi said in a statement ahead of the meeting with investors.


text:
Today's Must Read
Amazon (AMZN) Banks on Holiday Initiatives & AWS Adoption
Visa (V) Rides on Acquisitions and Rising Business Volumes
Friday, January 3, 2020
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Apple (AAPL), Amazon.com (AMZN) and Visa (V). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
Apple’s shares have outperformed the broader S&P 500 index over the past year (+102.6% vs. +27.4%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company is expected to benefit from continued momentum in the Services segment.
Non-iPhone devices are also expected to perform well, driven by strong demand for iPad, Apple Watch and AirPods. The company’s expanded portfolio, including MacBook Pro, Apple Watch Series 5 and Apple TV+, is a key catalyst. Moreover, the nomination of The Morning Show for multiple Golden Globe awards reflect Apple TV+’s content strength.
Additionally, the solid adoption of Apple Watch Series 5 is now helping the iPhone maker strengthen presence in the personal health monitor space. The Phase One deal between the U.S. and China is also a positive. Nevertheless, antitrust investigations, App Store-related lawsuits and Spotify’s complaint increase legal woes.
Shares of Amazon have gained +9.1% in the past three months against the broader S&P 500 index’s rise of +10.4%. The Zacks analyst believes that Amazon is benefiting from its aggressive retail strategies and distribution strength.
Rapid adoption of Prime driven by customer benefits and strengthening grocery services is aiding its top line. Further, Prime is driving its holiday sales growth. Also, expanding content portfolio is encouraging Prime membership. Further, strengthening AWS services and its growing adoption rate are aiding Amazon’s dominance in the cloud space. Furthermore, improving Alexa skills and features remain major positives.
Also, rising number of Alexa compatible devices is a tailwind. However, rising transportation cost related to its free one-day shipping service remains an overhang and is likely to increase further. Also, Amazon expects foreign exchange headwinds to continue impacting its top line.
Visa's shares have gained +8% over the past six months against the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry's rise of +6.9%. The Zacks analyst believes that numerous acquisitions and alliances plus technology upgrades and effective marketing have paved the way for long-term growth and consistent increase in revenues.
Shift in payments to new methods such as mobile, cards, online and via wearables paves way for long term growth. The acquisition of Visa Europe is a long-term growth strategy for the company. Its international business has been expanding and adds diversification benefits. Its strong capital position is another positive.
However, high client incentives and expenses weigh on its operating margin. Also, adverse foreign exchange volatility imparts instability to the company’s earnings.
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include salesforce.com (CRM), Honeywell International (HON) and 3M Company (MMM).
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>


text:
Reacting to the growing public denunciation of distracted driving and consumer distrust of the auto industry following Toyota’s massive worldwide safety recall, an auto safety overhaul is moving rapidly through Congress. Last week, the Senate Commerce Committee voted to pass a bill that, after debate and compromise, has earned the support of consumers and automakers.
Initially, conservatives worried that the overhaul would deny individual states the right to punish or reward auto companies for their safety failures or achievements. Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), for one, announced earlier this year that he opposes “a one-size-fits-all Washington solution on all states…that withholds highway funds from states that do not enact specific laws.”
While one bill being considered would have denied certain highway funds for states without distracted driving laws (penalties that currently exist for seat belt and drunk driving laws), the most popular option would boost highway funding $94 million each year for states that agreed to comply with additional safety laws. “States are the best places to have this type of legislation passed, and our bill does respect state rights,” said Kay Bailey Hutchison, the commerce committee’s top Republican.
In addition to rewarding states for anti-distracted driving laws, the auto safety overhaul would require auto companies to install event recording systems, “black boxes”, in every new vehicle, and raise the fine for safety oversight from $16.4 million to up to $300 million. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which supports the legislation, has opposed certain elements, like the black box requirement, saying it would drastically increase the cost of new cars. The Alliance, which includes GM, Toyota, and a handful of other major auto companies, also says that the legislation won’t end safety problems. “We can’t prevent a shoe from going under a pedal. We can’t prevent people from putting in more than one floor mat,” said a spokesperson. “Prevention becomes a very steep hill to climb.”
Most safety advocates and lawmakers brush such statements aside, acknowledging that it’s in everyone’s interest to make drivers safer. But opponents have scored a few notable victories in terms of timeline for the legislation. Early drafts of the bill required that the increased safety standards be implemented by 2014. The Washington Post reports that this provision has been stripped from the bill, which says that a deadline will only be implemented if the Secretary of Transportation deems it necessary.
Even though the safety overhaul and distracted driving legislation has been softened, it’s a step in the right direction and will make car companies more careful about the products they release to consumers, and drivers more safe behind the wheel.
Photo credit: OregonDOT


text:
We Finally Got A Glimpse At What The 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid Looks Like
Honda is keeping most of the specs of the new hybrid system well-guarded, but did say that the hybrid version of the CR-V will have an extra boost over gas-only models. Honda said the drivetrain they will be using is an advanced hybrid system designed to provide a “sportier” driving experience, adding that the new generation will be more “adventurous” than its predecessor. Car and Driver suggest it this could imply enhancements on its AWD and a Trail Sport trim level as those used by the larger Passport and Pilot SUVs. The new model will possibly come with different tires, too, and is likely to have more horsepower than its hybrid predecessors. The 2022 CR-V Hybrid sells for $26,800 in the U.S. currently, and offers 212 horsepower.
In August 2021, the 2023 Honda CR-V Hybrid was spied testing in Germany, via Car and Driver, revealing a bigger size. Image patents released in May, 2022 by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China — when the SUV was homologated — also confirm a bigger size, and an additional row of seats, via Motor 1. The new hybrid model has a larger grille, a more aggressive presence on the road, narrower headlights, and mirrors mounted on the doors. While the reveal is not the most dramatic nor revolutionary Honda has done, the 2023 CR-V Hybrid promises to continue pushing sales and the CV-R’s popularity in the U.S. and around the world.
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Gaming News Click Here


text:
The Viatel Group, a leading independent cloud and connectivity provider, recently completed its third acquisition in just nine months, expanding its presence in the Irish and international markets.
The company announced the completion of a transaction to acquire Nova Telecom, the Cork-based data and voice service provider. Founded in 2004, Nova Telecom provides business connectivity, voice and data services and broadband services for households to over two thousand customers across Ireland, including well-known companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Irish Water, Eventbrite, Biopharma Engineering and PM Group Global.
Following the recent acquisitions of Ripplecom (October 2020) and Irish Telecom (December 2020), the latest transaction will support Viatel’s ambitious expansion plans and drive the company’s impressive growth trajectory.
With the announcement, Paul Rellis, CEO of Viatel, welcomed Nova’s addition to the Viatel family. “It’s an exciting time to join us. We believe Nova’s experience and customer focus culture is a great fit for Viatel, and we are excited about the opportunity to provide Nova’s customers with more service and value.
“We have a great team and we are experiencing a period of very strong growth throughout our business. Together we will work hard for the future, develop a stronger customer focus and partner with great Irish and international companies to help them become even more successful. “
Dave McDonald, Founder of Nova said, “We are excited to have Nova Telecom join the Viatel family and we believe that most of all they understand our focus on the customer experience. After carefully building our customer base over 17 years, we look forward to offering our customers a wide range of new connectivity, cloud and security services as we work with them to thrive in the new business environment. “
The financial terms of the transaction will not be disclosed. Venture Legal Services acted as legal advisor to Viatel on the takeover. The newly expanded Viatel Group now serves more than 4,200 companies across Ireland and 30,000 private customers under the Digiweb brand.
For details on how Viatel can help your business, please visit: viatel.com


text:
Is anyone familiar with a company called Advantage Corporation Services? They are encouraging business formation in Nevada because of the favorable statutes and regs for business. I have a potential client that has allowed this company to start on formation paperwork for him however now they want him to be his own resident agent in Maryland which will be his primary place of business . . . .[A]ny information would be helpful.My response at the time was:
There are a host of companies that "push" Nevada as the state of domestication for corporations and LLCs based upon alleged benefits that are, so far as I can determine, illusory. By way of example, I've heard of an individual who formed an LLC in Nevada because he was assured that Nevada would only turn over the ownership info concerning the LLC if it received a subpoena. I then informed him that Maryland went one step further, since it didn't have any ownership info to begin with and even if it received a subpoena would therefore not turn over any ownership info.There were other, similar, responses.
Yesterday, the LAT had an article, Tax-Averse Firms Cross a State Line, (registration required) where it reported that a large number of California businesses were incorporating in Nevada to avoid California state taxes.
No need for savvy accountants or high-priced lawyers. Seminars, webcasts and radio advertisements bray that it's easy to slash a California tax bill — or eliminate it altogether — by creating a corporation in Nevada, where there is no income tax on businesses or individuals. Set one up online with a few keystrokes and a $395 credit card payment! For a little extra, a Nevada mailing address, telephone number and bank account can be added.Part of the scam, sorry, legitimate planning strategem, frequently involves:
Promoters peddling the packages call it good tax planning. California officials call it something else: tax fraud. They say the cash-strapped state's coffers are being drained as even some of the smallest California businesses shift their profits into hastily created corporate shells in the Silver State.
"We want to catch this scam before it gets out of hand," said state Controller Steve Westly. "We think it will cost the state tens of millions of dollars if this continues."* * * * *Nevada corporate secrecy laws can make it impossible to unearth how exactly money is being used once it is shifted there. Unlike most other states, Nevada doesn't work cooperatively with the IRS to root out tax cheats — something the office of the Nevada secretary of state highlights in a pamphlet titled "Why Incorporate in Nevada?"
[S]etting up a Nevada corporation to own all of a company's equipment — ovens for a bakery, for example, or maybe computers and fax machines for a travel agency. But no baking or travel planning is being done in Nevada. No one involved in the business is even located there. Everything is still happening in California.The use of the
The owners simply use the Nevada company to lease the equipment back to the store in California. The cost of the lease cancels out California profits, possibly eliminating taxes owed there. The profit gets shifted to Nevada, which has no corporate or personal state income tax.
"It makes it a little more scary to audit someone in Nevada," said Frank Katz, general counsel for the Multistate Tax Commission, an organization of state governments working to make tax collections more efficient. "The person can now just sue you there."Given the possibility that this gambit threatens to rip a wide hole in California's tax collection mechanism, I suspect that the state's tax administrators and its courts will rise to the occasion and devise appropriate plugs. Tax avoidance should be more than a $395 credit card charge and a wink and a nod.


text:
If you’re in the UK, it surely can’t have escaped your notice that Walkers have been trialling six new crisp flavours since 9 January and are inviting the public to choose which one’s to go on sale permanently.
The six flavours are:
- Builder’s Breakfast – egg, bacon, sausage and beans
- Cajun Squirrel (looks as if the campaign to save Tufty by eating grey squirrels is gaining ground)
- Chilli and Chocolate
- Crispy Duck and Hoisin
- Fish & Chips (Hmm… given that the crisps already taste of potatoes, doesn’t this make them simply fish flavour?)
- Onion Bhaji
The flavours were chosen by a panel of judges headed by Heston Blumenthal, from thousands of ideas submitted by the public. The winning idea will get the person who came up with it quite a prize: a £50,000 lump sum, plus 1% royalties of all sales of that flavour. If it proves popular enough, that could be quite a healthy income – Walkers produce over 11 million bags of crisps a day.
(I wonder if Heston Blumenthal’s involvement is the “big initiative” reported on byThe Guardian in June last year? If so, I’m not sure where the “healthy eating” bit comes in…)
The competition is a good chance for the pub industry to boost its takings, too. Morning Advertiser, the biggest magazine for the pub trade, quotes a Walkers bigwig as saying: “With such innovative and unique flavours, everyone is going to be really keen to try them for themselves and there will be real demand in the impulse channel.”
But it’s not just those directly in the trade who are promoting the competition. The Federation of Master Builders has been calling on its members – and the public – to vote for the Builder’s Breakfast flavour!
There’s been a fair stir in the media, too. (It must be a slow news week.) The Sun made a big thing of the Cajun Squirrel flavour – “Squirrel-eating died out in Britain in the 1800s, but toffs’ dinner parties have put it back on the menu” – but reported Walkers’ insistence that the crisps really are vegetarian.
Not only are they vegetarian, but they’re increasingly eco-friendly. Walkers have been working with the Carbon Trust to make their production increasingly energy efficient. In the process they uncovered some startling facts; for instance, their policy of buying by weight meant that suppliers were keeping their storage facilities artificially humid to prevent their potatoes losing moisture – moisture which then had to be fried off, causing even more energy wastage.
They’re not about to switch to organic potatoes, though. Production of their preferred varieties of potato in the UK just isn’t high enough. So although a switch would mean losing the climate impact of fertilisers (nitrous oxide, which has 300 times the greenhouse effect that carbon dioxide does), that would be more than offset by the environmental cost of transporting the spuds to Leicester.
You can find out more, and vote for your favoured flavour, on the Walkers website:
Walkers “Do Us A Flavour” Competition


text:
Joan Wyndrum, Floral expert and Co-Founder of Blooms by the Box, one of the largest online wholesale floral marketplaces for Do-It-Yourself creatives and brides joins eCommerce Radio.
Krista Fabregas, ecommerce staff writer at Fit Small Business, an educational website, helping small business owners navigate the questions and difficulties that arise when running a business joins eCommerce Radio to share 5 secrets of freight and fulfillment.
Ben Harris the Co-Founder of the Nickel and Dime Supplement Club, a supplement company that ships personalized supplement boxes to its members monthly joins eCommerce Radio.
Ryan O’Connor, the Founder of One Tribe Apparel, a clothing brand he started after his first trip to Thailand joins eCommerce Radio. Ryan has been living abroad for almost four years and has lived in six different countries and visited others all while growing and managing an e-commerce business.
Jan Bednar, CEO at ShipMonk that specializes in multi-channel eCommerce fulfillment services that store, pack and ship orders for online sellers joins eCommerce Radio.


text:
Stoneridge Inc., a supplier of highly engineered electrical and electronic components for the commercial vehicle and automotive industry, has announced the appointment of Regan Grant to director of global strategic marketing and communications, a newly created position.
In this role, Grant is responsible for developing and executing a global marketing, communications and brand strategy, aligned with the company’s product portfolio and growth strategy.
“Our company has evolved significantly over the past few years regarding our leadership, our products and our location – with key milestones such as the acquisition of Orlaco, our strategic technology partner in the Netherlands, and full ownership of our PST business in Brazil,” said Jon DeGaynor, president and CEO. “We increasingly recognize the importance of a strong and consistent message to our constituents, and the time is right to elevate our global marketing and brand strategies to the next level. Regan’s strategic thinking, creativity and industry experience will help us accelerate Stoneridge’s brand awareness and drive shareholder value.”
Grant joins Stoneridge from Ernst & Young, where she was most recently the global automotive and transportation marketing leader. There, she developed the marketing and brand strategy for the sector globally, oversaw strategic partnerships, and managed a global team. Grant was a Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 award winner in 2018 and is an active philanthropist in the Detroit area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Michigan.
Grant is based at the Stoneridge global headquarters in Novi, Michigan, and reports to Bob Krakowiak, executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer.